Song of the Prophets: A Requiem for the Climate
Wednesday 9 June 2021
Christian Aid Chineke! Foundation St Paul’s Cathedral #SongOfTheProphets Christian Aid exists to create a world where everyone can live a full life, free from poverty. We are a global movement of people, churches and local organisations who passionately champion dignity, equality and justice worldwide. We are the changemakers, the peacemakers, the mighty of heart.
Contact us Christian Aid 35 Lower Marsh Waterloo London SE1 7RL
T: +44 (0) 20 7620 4444 E: [email protected] W: caid.org.uk
2 Welcome to Song of the Prophets: A Requiem for the Climate
Wednesday 9 June 2021
‘[Prophets] show us what a renewed humanity and a renewed earth, a different present and a different future, might really look like’
Taken from Christian Aid’s theological paper, Song of the Prophets: A Global Theology of Climate Change
3 Contents Page 6 Message from Amanda Khozi Mukwashi, Chief Executive of Christian Aid
Page 7 Message from Chi-chi Nwanoku OBE, Founder and Artistic & Executive Director of Chineke!
Page 8 Programme
Page 9-13 About the music
Page 15-16 Song of the Prophets and Christian Aid’s climate change work
Page 17-18 Our campaign for climate justice and how to get involved
Page 19 Acknowledgements
4 CELEBRATING 75 YEARS OF CHRISTIAN AID
A COLLECTION OF DEFIANT PRAYERS FOR JUSTICE AND A BETTER WORLD, FEATURING CONTRIBUTIONS FROM ROWAN WILLIAMS • AMANDA KHOZI MUKWASHI RHIDIAN BROOK • JOHN BELL • RACHEL TREWEEK WALTER BRUEGGEMANN • AND MANY MORE
AVAILABLE NOW AT WWW.SPCK.ORG.UK AND ALL GOOD ONLINE RETAILERS
spck.org.uk /SPCKpublishing @SPCKpublishing @SPCK_publishing Welcome from Amanda Khozi Mukwashi
Welcome. We are delighted that you could join us for the debut performance of Song of the Prophets: A Requiem for the Climate.
Tonight, you are going to be part of something special. An evening that uses beautiful music, gifted musicians and passionate people to draw all of our attention towards the biggest crisis facing our world today: the climate crisis.
Christian Aid has been campaigning on the devastating effects of climate change for the world’s poorest people for over a decade. Throughout this year, our climate justice campaign is drawing attention to the urgent action needed on this global issue.
The climate crisis is making life even more difficult for some of the world’s poorest and most marginalised communities. It is having a devastating impact on every area of life – from basic needs such as food and shelter, to issues such as education and women’s rights. The pervasive impact on everyone – and particularly those in the communities in which we work – means we can no longer ignore it.
As we mark over 75 years of Christian Aid, we are celebrating all that has been achieved by the organisation and its supporters over the decades – from working on civil rights in the US, to anti-apartheid in South Africa, to the HIV/AIDS crisis, to tax justice; and now in our coronavirus response in some of the poorest communities around the world.
But we know that the climate emergency will still be with us long after the coronavirus pandemic has ended. It is time for urgent action. We call on political leaders, churches and faith-based institutions, and people like you to rally together to bring about the change that is so desperately needed.
We hope you enjoy Song of the Prophets: A Requiem for the Climate. Listen well, feel deeply and afterwards join us as we come together to tackle one of the greatest injustices that we face.
Amanda Khozi Mukwashi Chief Executive, Christian Aid
6 Message from Chi-chi Nwanoku OBE
When Chineke! were approached by Christian Aid in 2019 to take part in this project, we were delighted. Climate change is the biggest issue facing the world today, and we were drawn to the organisation’s vision to draw attention to the injustices faced by people in the global South. Music has the ability to convey important messages that humanity has to hear, so we were thrilled to take part in this.
Christian Aid’s vision of dignity, equality and justice for all living in extreme poverty around the world – no matter their faith – is an inspiring one. As someone of Nigerian and Irish descent, I recognise the stark inequalities that exist between the richest and poorest globally and wanted to do my bit to help. We are excited by Christian Aid’s creativity and vision to rally people together to stop this climate crisis.
I founded Chineke! in 2015 to provide career opportunities for young Black and ethnically diverse classical musicians in the UK and Europe. Chineke!’s mission is: ‘Championing change and celebrating diversity in classical music’.
The Chineke! Orchestra, the foundation’s flagship ensemble, works closely with its sister ensemble, the Chineke! Junior Orchestra, a youth orchestra of Black and ethnically diverse players aged between 11 and 22, with senior players acting as mentors, teachers and role models to the young musicians.
In August 2017, the Chineke! Orchestra made its BBC Proms debut at the Royal Albert Hall and performed at many other leading festivals throughout England, all to great critical acclaim. Chineke! has released five CDs to date, which you can hear on Spotify.
The Chineke! Ensemble comprises the principal players of the Chineke! Orchestra. It made its debut at Wigmore Hall in 2018 before going on to play at the Cheltenham and Ryedale festivals. It has since performed at the Tonbridge Music Club, Wimbledon International Festival, Cambridge Music Festival, St George’s Bristol and Snape Maltings.
My aim in starting Chineke! was to create a space where Black and ethnically diverse musicians can walk on stage and know that they belong, in every sense of the word. If even one Black or ethnically diverse child feels that their colour is getting in the way of their musical ambitions, then I hope to inspire them, give them a platform, and show them that music, of whatever kind, is for all people.
Chi-chi Nwanoku OBE Founder and Artistic & Executive Director, Chineke!
For more information, visit chineke.org
7 Song of the Prophets: A Requiem for the Climate Wednesday 9 June 2021
Introduction – Amanda Khozi Mukwashi, Chief Executive of Christian Aid
Debut performance: Song of the Prophets: A Requiem for the Climate – Movement one: Creation Performed by Chineke! Orchestra
About Chineke! – Chi-chi Nwanoku OBE, Founder and Artistic & Executive Director of Chineke! Orchestra
Movement two: Ruin
Climate activist call – Khulekani Sizwe Magwaza, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa
Climate activist call – Rodne Galicha Living Laudato Si’ Philippines
Climate activist call – Rachel Mander, Young Christian Climate Network, UK
Movement three: Recovery
Song of the Prophets: Address – Dr Rowan Williams, Chair of Christian Aid
Movement four: Redemption
Closing – Amanda Khozi Mukwashi, Chief Executive of Christian Aid
A full version of Song of the Prophets: A Requiem for the Climate will be available on our website and YouTube channel following the premiere on 9 June. Watch at youtube.com/thisischristianaid or caid.org.uk/song 8 The music
In 2019, Christian Aid commissioned a new orchestral work on the theme of climate change, which will be performed tonight by Chineke! Orchestra – Europe’s first majority Black and ethnically diverse orchestra. The event was originally due to take place on 20 May 2020 at St Paul’s Cathedral in London, but of course had to be postponed due to the global coronavirus pandemic.
The piece of music is inspired by Christian Aid’s theological paper Song of the Prophets, which was re-published in May 2020.
Christian Aid worked with Chineke! to commission four composers to write a section each on some of the theological concepts arising from the issue of climate change. Each movement is distinct, drawing on different parts of the biblical narrative as it relates to the stewardship of the Earth.
The four movements are: Creation This is the opening section of the piece and Recovery takes its inspiration from the creation poem in Around the world, Christian Aid is helping Genesis 1 in the Bible. ‘In the beginning when restore the dignity and livelihoods of those God created the heavens and the earth, the in communities that have suffered recent earth was a formless void and darkness covered storms, droughts and floods. An estimated 3 the face of the deep, while a wind from God million people were affected by Cyclone Idai in swept over the face of the waters. Then God Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe in 2019. said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. The cyclone saw at least 750 people killed And God saw that the light was good; and God and an estimated 400,000 displaced. In the separated the light from the darkness. God immediate aftermath of the cyclone, Christian called the light Day, and the darkness Night. And Aid was there to help those in remote areas there was evening and there was morning, the who were desperately in need of food, water, first day.’ clothing, shelter and medicine. Today, we are Words: Growth, emergence, birth still there, rebuilding homes and livelihoods long after the humanitarian crisis has disappeared from the news. People who care about the Ruin dignity, equality and justice of all should join The once perfect world we are introduced to together to help our global neighbours recover in the opening ‘Creation’ section is now ruined. in the aftermath of ruin. The world is on fire. Climate change is having a Words: aid, elevate, lift, clear devastating impact on every area of life – from basic needs such as food and shelter, to issues such as education and women’s rights. Some Redemption of the hardest-hit communities are having to This is the finale of the piece and points to a change and adapt in order to survive. They are hopeful future in which all things will be made facing the full force of the droughts, winds and new. It acts as a rallying call; a future to which storms that are increasingly common because all of humanity can strive for the sake of all. It of the climate emergency. should be joyful and hopeful. Words: catastrophe, destruction, Words: renewal, rebirth, restoration, hope disaster, death
9 The composers
Shirley J Thompson The music of composer Shirley J Thompson is performed and screened worldwide and often described as ‘superb’ (Le Figaro) as well as ‘powerful and striking’ (Planet Hugill).
A visionary artist and cultural activist, Shirley has achieved innumerable ‘firsts’ through her calling, pushing the boundaries of the classical music composition along the way. Shirley is the first woman in Europe to have composed and conducted a symphony within the last 40 years. New Nation Rising: A 21st Century Symphony performed and recorded by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) is an epic musical story celebrating London’s thousand- year history, and one in which the RPO is accompanied by two choirs, solo singers, a rapper and dhol drummers – a total of nearly 200 performers. This extraordinary work was originally commissioned to celebrate Her Majesty the Queen’s Golden Jubilee in 2002 and the concept was latterly assumed as a framework for the London 2012 Olympics opening ceremony.
She co-scored the ballet PUSH that toured to over 40 of the world’s major opera houses, including The Mariinsky Theatre, La Scala and Sydney Opera House. Her opera series, Heroines of Opera, encapsulates narratives of iconic women in history and challenges the concept of the femme fatale, the usual portrayal of women in the operatic cannon. Shirley has consistently demonstrated in her work a belief in the transformative power of music to affect social, cultural and political change.
Roderick Williams Roderick Williams is one of the most sought-after baritones of his generation and performs a wide repertoire from baroque to contemporary music in the opera house, on the concert platform and in recital. He enjoys relationships with all the major UK opera houses and has sung world premieres of operas by, among others, David Sawer, Sally Beamish, Michel van der Aa, Robert Saxton and Alexander Knaifel.
Roderick performs regularly with all the BBC orchestras, and many other ensembles including the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, the Philharmonia, London Sinfonietta, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, the Hallé, Britten Sinfonia, Bournemouth Symphony and Scottish Chamber Orchestra. Abroad Roderick has worked with the Berlin
10 Philharmonic, New York Philharmonic, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Russian National Orchestra, Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, Ensemble Orchestral de Paris, Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia in Rome and Bach Collegium Japan amongst others. Festival appearances include the BBC Proms (including the Last Night in 2014), Edinburgh, Cheltenham, Bath, Aldeburgh and Melbourne Festivals.
Roderick is also an accomplished recital artist who can be heard at venues and festivals including Wigmore Hall, Kings Place, LSO St Luke’s, the Perth Concert Hall, Oxford Lieder Festival, London Song Festival, Beethovenhaus, Snape Maltings, Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, Concertgebouw, and the Musikverein, Vienna. He also appears regularly on BBC Radio 3 both as a performer and a presenter.
Roderick’s numerous recordings include Vaughan Williams, Berkeley and Britten operas for Chandos and an extensive repertoire of English song with pianist Iain Burnside for Naxos. Most recently he has recorded the three Schubert cycles for Chandos and a disc of French song with Roger Vignoles for Champs Hill.
Roderick is also a composer and has had works premiered at the Wigmore and Barbican Halls, the Purcell Room, with the Rias Kammerchor and live on national radio. He was Artistic Director of Leeds Lieder+ in April 2016 and he is currently ‘singer-in-residence’ for Music in the Round in Sheffield, presenting concerts and leading on dynamic and innovative learning and participation projects that introduce amateur singers, young and old, to performing classical song repertoire. He is Artist in Residence for the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra from 2020/21 for two seasons, and was awarded an OBE for services to music in June 2017. Ayanna Witter-Johnson Singer, songwriter, cellist Ayanna Witter-Johnson is a rare exception to the rule that classical and alternative r&b music cannot successfully coexist. Graduating with a first from both the Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance and the Manhattan School of Music, Ayanna was a participant in the London Symphony Orchestra’s Panufnik Composers Scheme and become an Emerging Artist in Residence at London’s Southbank Centre. She was a featured artist with Courtney Pine’s Afropeans: Jazz Warriors and became the only non-American to win Amateur Night Live at the legendary Apollo Theatre in Harlem, New York.
As a composer she has been commissioned by the London Symphony Orchestra, Güerzenich Orchester, Ligeti Quartet, Kronos Quartet, The Hip-Hop Shakespeare Company and as an arranger/ orchestrator for the London Symphony Orchestra (Hugh Masekela, Belief!) and the BBC Symphony Orchestra (Urban Classic).
Since releasing her EP’s (Truthfully, Black Panther and Ella, Reuben and Ay) and her debut album Road Runner, Ayanna has extensively toured the UK and Europe, whilst gaining a MOBO award nomination and receiving airplay on BBC Radio 1 and BBC 1Xtra. A performer of extraordinary versatility her live shows are intimate journeys that chronicle her experience as a female artist in the 21st century.
11 Ayanna has collaborated with artists as diverse as Akala, Riz MC, Nitin Sawhney and Anoushka Shankar. Currently working on her sophomore album, Ayanna has recently appeared on Sing it Loud (Channel 4) and Later...with Jools Holland (BBC) and is preparing to return to the live arena whilst working on a number of commissions for ensembles and orchestras in UK and Europe.
Because of her musical prowess, enchanting vocals, non-compromising lyrics and ability to deftly reinterpret songs on the cello, Ayanna is able to straddle both the classical and black music worlds effortlessly. She is the definition of eclectic soul.
Daniel Kidane Daniel Kidane‘s music has been performed extensively across the UK and abroad as well as being broadcast on BBC Radio 3, described by the Financial Times as ‘quietly impressive’ and by The Times as ‘tautly constructed’ and ’vibrantly imagined’.
Daniel began his musical education at the age of eight when he started playing the violin. He first received composition lessons at the Royal College of Music Junior Department and then went on to study privately in St Petersburg, receiving lessons in composition from Sergey Slonimsky. He completed his undergraduate and postgraduate studies at the Royal Northern College of Music under the tutelage of Gary Carpenter and David Horne. Currently, he is undertaking a doctoral degree at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, supervised by Julian Anderson.
Highlights include the premiere of his orchestral work Zulu by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra; commissions for Mahan Esfahani (harpsichord) and Michala Petri (recorder) premiered at Wigmore Hall and released on CD; a new work for the CBSO Youth Orchestra, which is inspired by Grime music; a chamber work for the Cheltenham Festival which draws inspiration from Jungle music and a new type of vernacular; a song cycle commissioned by Leeds Lieder and inspired by the poetry of Ben Okri; a new piece entitled Dream Song for the baritone Roderick Williams and the Chineke! Orchestra which was played at the reopening of the Queen Elizabeth Hall in 2018. Works for members of the London Symphony Orchestra, which have focused on multiculturalism, and an orchestral work for the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, motivated by the eclectic musical nightlife in Manchester, have also received critical acclaim.
Recent works include Woke, which was premiered by the BBC Symphony Orchestra and chief conductor Sakari Oramo at the Last Night of the Proms in September 2019. Further works premiered during the Covid-19 lockdowns include The Song Thrush and The Mountain Ash for Huddersfield Choral Society with text by Poet Laureate Simon Armitage, Dappled Light for violinists Maxine Kwok and Julian Gil Rodriguez for the London Symphony Orchestra’s Summer Shorts series, and Be Still for the Manchester Camerata, which was broadcast on BBC Radio 3.
12 Conductor Matthew Lynch Matthew Lynch is musical director of the Orchester Lausitzer Braunkohle, Artistic Director of the Werkstattorchester, Dresden, and Musical Director of Szene12 Opera. He is also the conductor of the Symphony Orchestra of the HTWK in Leipzig and the assistant conductor of the Saxon Wind Philharmonic, Germany’s only full-time professional wind orchestra.
In 2019 he made his debut with the Saxon Wind Philharmonic and his London opera debut in August, conducting Scott Joplin’s Treemonisha at the Grimeborn festival. In 2020 he has returned to the Saxon Wind Philharmonic and this season will make his debut with the Leipzig Symphony Orchestra.
Matthew studied Music at Oxford University and orchestral conducting with Georg Christoph Sandmann at the Hochschule für Musik Carl Maria von Weber in Dresden. He continued his studies privately with Neil Thomson in Paris. He has since continued developing his skills as a conductor as a fellow of the Los Angeles Conducting Institute, as a scholarship holder at the Dartington International Summer School with Sian Edwards, at the Järvi Academy with Neeme, Paavo and Kritjan Järvi, and in master classes with the renowned conducting pedagogue Jorma Panula.
Prophetic voices: the instrumentalists
Each movement will be performed by the 30-piece chamber orchestra, but in between each section, you will hear a short interlude from a ‘prophetic voice’, performed by musicians playing instruments hailing from some of the countries most affected by climate change.
These three shorter interjections into the piece act as accents to the other sections. At Christian Aid, we are committed to ensuring we hear the voices of the prophets from those countries most affected by the climate crisis. This section should tell the story of how the people of Nigeria, Bangladesh and Kenya are being impacted by the droughts, floods and storms of climate change. These prophetic interjections tell a stark but ultimately hopeful story that must be heard by the global North.
13 About the instrumentalists
Richard Olatunde Baker Richard began his musical life aged 11, as a self- taught guitarist, but was quickly drawn towards the drums of his childhood; eventually being trained by traditional drummers in the early 1990s, specialising in Yoruba talking drums and many other African percussions. Much of his training was while playing at the frequent all- night African community events in London.
Renu Hossain Renu has been studying percussion with a Masters from India, Cuba and Brazil. As a tabla disciple of Sri Chiranjit Mukherjee, she is following the classic way of learning – ‘Guru shisha parampara’ which translates to ‘Master student journey’. As a multi-percussionist Renu has toured with and played for multiple bands and artists. To name a few: Grace Jones, State of Bengal, Fun damental, Kevin Davy Jazz D’semble, MIKA, Alabama 3 and Tunde Jegede.
Rapasa Nyatrapasa Otieno Rapasa is an advocate of traditional music. He plays several instruments indigenous to East Africa. His principal instrument is nyatiti, an eight-string lyre which has travelled along the Nile with the Lüo community who play this instrument and whose people have now settled along the shores of Nam Lolwe (known as Lake Victoria) where Rapasa is from. Through its storytelling, his music gives an insight into his ancestors’ wisdom and is very focused on this heritage.
14 Song of the prophets Climate change A global theology of climate change May 2020 and theology
This piece of music takes its name from Christian Aid’s theological climate change paper Song of the Prophets: a global theology of climate change. It begins from the experience of Christian Aid’s partners, many of whom already live with the most challenging realities of the climate crisis. It affirms that climate change is being caused by and contributing to the injustices and inequalities of our world. It listens to theologians who speak from the global South, from the contexts where climate change is having its greatest impact. And it offers theological reflection that brings both challenge and hope to all of us.
The theological thread drawing these reflections together is the theme of prophecy. Prophets are those who offer the most trenchant and clear-sighted critique of and challenge to wider society. But most importantly, they also hold out a source of hope rooted in the God whose promises cannot fail. In the most difficult situations, when we can see no way forward, prophets are those who help us to reimagine the world, find faith again, and inspire us with the hope to keep on singing.
From the global South, we hear the very clearest insights into the urgent situation facing us all and a challenge to do something before it is too late. By the international actions of the young student strikers and the non-violent direct action of groups like Extinction Rebellion, we are reminded that we need to press on for climate justice. And we are called to reframe our theologies of creation, and to live by them, in renewed faithfulness to the wisdom of Scripture.
As we return to Scripture and to the central traditions of our Christian faith, we find again sources of hope that we need now more than ever: hope that will carry us through tough times ahead, hope that will inspire us to change our lives and to campaign for global change, and hope that, ultimately, God’s loving purposes will prevail. Christian Aid’s work on climate change
While the world has focused on the coronavirus ‘Who can stop climate change? pandemic, the climate crisis has not gone away. We can. We have a responsibility As the UK government responds to the social to do so that began when God and economic impacts of coronavirus, it could commanded the earliest human go back to business as usual, making the climate inhabitants of the Garden of Eden crisis and inequality worse. Or it could take to “till it and keep it”. To keep it; not steps towards a better future, where everyone to abuse it, not to destroy it’ has enough to live life to the full, free from – Desmond Tutu devastating climate chaos.
15 The crisis has already arrived in the lives of millions of people around the world, hurting those who have done the least to cause it. Time is running out to limit the worst impacts of climate breakdown for millions more. This week, the UK Government will host the G7. We must use this opportunity to make our voices heard. From now on, every moment matters and every action counts in the fight for climate justice. Florence’s story In Kitui County in eastern Kenya, a woman sings a deep, joyful tune. Her song lifts the spirits of the other women on the farm. This is Florence Muthiani. She is full of life, love and laughter. The women in her farming group look up to her. She’s courageous, kind – a survivor. A few years ago, her husband died, leaving her a widow. At that time, she had no water to grow crops. Her children were hungry.
She had to walk for hours on a dangerous journey to collect water. ‘Life was miserable,’ she said. Florence could easily have been defeated. But Florence is a fighter, and she shows the women in her farming group that they can be fighters, too.
Next to her farm, Florence is proud to show us something remarkable – a dam, full of fresh water. It’s thanks to Christian Aid supporters that Florence and her community have built this water dam, with the help of our partner Anglican Development Services – Eastern (ADSE), just a short walk away from her village. With this dam, Florence can grow tomatoes, onions, papayas and chillies on her farm. With this dam, her children can eat healthy, nutritious vegetables. It’s her source of life and joy. Florence also uses the water from the dam to keep honey bees. She sells the rich, golden honey for cash at the market.
Now, Florence is reaping a good life for herself and her family. The dam gives Florence strength to withstand even the most unpredictable weather. It’s a reliable water source, whether she faces long drought or relentless rainstorms.
Florence said: ‘I have been sustained by the earth dam. My life has changed. I am very happy. You can see it in my face: my face is shining. I have strength and power.’
You can see Florence’s strength and power as she hauls heavy buckets to water her crops. You can see her strength and power as she digs up the fresh vegetables she has grown. You can see her strength and power as she takes climate justice into her hands.
Christian Aid is working with more communities like Florence’s to promote new technologies, tools and training to equip them to adapt to the extreme weather conditions that threaten their lives. But what they also need is global action.
This is a crucial year for climate justice. Join us as we stand together with those on the frontlines. A global movement of all faiths and none.
16 Campaigns: How you can get involved
In just a few days the UK will host world leaders from some of the richest countries in the world at the G7 summit in Cornwall.
These countries, and many other so-called developed nations, have grown rich through the exploitation of people and natural resources. This has led to climate breakdown across the globe, with communities that have done the least to cause the problem paying the heaviest price.
We need richer countries to step up and financially support those facing the worst impacts of the climate crisis. This additional money will help communities adapt farming methods that are no longer viable, ensure everyone has access to clean energy, and help to restore natural habitats that also protect against further damage.
The UK, as hosts of both the G7 and of COP26 later this year, can lead the way.
As many of us can’t be physically present in Cornwall to raise our voices, we need to make sure the Prime Minister gets the message another way.
Sign our petition at caid.org.uk/climate-justice-petition
And get involved in our G7 activities at caid.org.uk/g7action
17 Our Prayer for a Just and Fair Future
Great Spirit, heavenly Father, source of life and love. We rejoice and give thanks for your bountiful planet. Great plains, verdant forests, deserts of rock, sand and ice, mountain ranges, rivers and oceans: ecosystems to meet the needs of all your creatures.
We mourn our separation from you, each other, ourselves and all creation.
We have forsaken your calling to be custodians:
When we drill for oil, gas and minerals, despoiling the earth, poisoning the waters and fouling the air with climate changing gases;
When we fell ancient trees, over-exploit the oceans and techno-farm food, destroying soils, traditional food systems and indigenous communities;
When we desecrate your world with trash where nothing in nature is intended to go to waste;
When we live lavish lifestyles and turn our other cheek to poverty, injustice, war, famine and unbearable human suffering.
When world leaders and multi-national corporations put profit before the wellbeing of people, communities and a flourishing planet.
We pray that our words, our pilgrimage and our actions may be a witness to world leaders, encouraging and inspiring them to make radical commitments at the forthcoming climate talks. Commitments that will restore the earth and lead to justice for communities confronted by the climate crisis. And may they lead us onto a new path for a sustainable future where we live in harmony with all life.
Open our senses to all we encounter and be with us that we may walk in safety. Awaken us to our true nature, to live in peace with you, each other and all creation. By restoring harmony and balance we too will be restored to wholeness.
Amen.
You may wish to conclude praying the Lord’s Prayer together.
Prayer written by Bishop Geoff Davies, South Africa’s ‘Green Bishop’ Bishop Geoff Davies, or more affectionately known as the Green Bishop, and his wife Kate were founders of the Southern African Faith Communities’ Environment Institute (SAFCEI). They participated in the Christian Aid Cut the Carbon March back in 2007.
18 Acknowledgments
This has been an incredible project to have been a part of, spanning two years in planning, including a global pandemic which plunged each of the organisations involved into the uncertainty that the whole nation – and indeed the whole world – also found itself.
We have come a long way from the early seeds of an idea to commission a piece of music that would take its inspiration from the title of Song of the Prophets: a global theology of climate change. Music has the ability to profoundly communicate prophetic truths about the way the world is, and the way the world should be.
We had of course hoped that the event would take place live in the majestic setting of St Paul’s Cathedral. We would have loved to welcome you there. But thank God for digital technology, which has presented us with this amazing opportunity to make this music available to people not just in the UK but around the world.
The communities that Christian Aid works with, who are on the frontlines of the climate crisis, are the reason why we have done all of this. We hope in a small way to use music to draw attention to their plight. For them, the climate crisis is not just a distant fear, but a present, daily reality.
None of this would have been possible without the many, many people who have been involved over the past 24 months. I would like to thank the following, who have been vital to making this happen:
Chineke! Foundation (Chi-chi Nwanoku OBE, Stephen Carpenter, Chantal Osindero, Rhoda Lane), St Paul’s Cathedral, Sam Jones of Soundthread, Andy Hutchison (filming), Mike Hatch of Floating Earth (audio), and the team at Christian Aid that worked to make this event happen, including: Emma Carney, Neil Cartmell, Sarah Carter, Diarmuid Mitchell, Jonathan Tripp, Luke Harman, Pete Moorey, and Sarah Rowe; as well as Laura Oakley and Rachel Irwin for the editing and design of this programme.
We hope you have been moved by what you have heard, and will continue to support Christian Aid’s work calling for urgent action on the climate crisis through giving, acting and praying.
Chine McDonald Head of community fundraising and public engagement Christian Aid
Christian Aid is a key member of ACT Alliance. Eng and Wales charity no. 1105851 Scot charity no. SC039150 Company no. 5171525. © Christian Aid May 2021 Photos: Ntando Brown (page 1 and 2), Chris Christodoulou (page 3), Ntando Brown (page 4), Zen Grisdale (page 7), Joy Gregory (page 10), Benjamin Ealovega (page 10), Nick Howe (page 11), Kaupo Kikkas (page 12), Franziska Pilz (page 13), Donna Ford (page 19). J232850
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